TubeNet

Hello -
I was playing Carmina Burana last night and in the second measure of the last movement (which for those of you without access to a part or a score is three whole notes at fortissimo) I blew out my tuning slide. No damage or anything, but I was totally shocked that it happened because I had always considered that slide pretty well in there. Anyway, I'm positive it was my airstream that caused the movement and I was wondering what you all might recommend to keep this from happening. My only idea outside of physically bending (slightly) the slide to give it more resistance is to swich to a thicker slide grease. I'm assuming there's other options.
Thanks
Jim
(oh yeah... it happened on the meinl)

I've had it where my tuning slide on my meinl weston 2155 keeps sliding down making it a heck of a job to keep in tune. I tried to put thicker slide grease on there but it still goes down. i just gave up and put a little piece of paper in the slide to keep it where i want it. it's working well so far.

Josh " duct tape and super glue fix it all" Wagner

Since your tuning slide looks into an expanding open pipe, I doubt that it was air pressure that caused it to pop (unless you've got an old tennis ball lodged in your bottom bow). More likely simple vibration shook it loose.

A heavier slide grease should do the trick, particularly if the slide's not leaky. Aside from various retail products, there's always anhydrous lanolin, which is about as sticky and thick as slide lubes come.

A piece of string can prevent that from happening, if you don't want to change your slide grease.

Uncle Buck wrote:A piece of string can prevent that from happening, if you don't want to change your slide grease.

You might consider it even if you do change your slide grease; just around the tube if you have to, to keep it off the floor. Since you're not sure what caused it, give it a bit of slack so you can still pull it out if you do that to empty it, but enough to keep it from hitting the floor if it ever goes again! (hopefully it won't ever happen again, but... )

Exact same thing is happening to me right now with my euphonium, except is is happening to the little 2nd valve slide. I've temporarily solved it by looping a rubber band around the finger ring and the other end over the 2nd valve housing. It looks stupid but it works. I'll try a heavier grease - would the lithium grease in a hardware store work?

I HIGHLY suggest Hetman slide glue. its their lube #9 and is FANTASTIC for ALL Lower tuning slides. I gaurantee no problems with slides falling out ever again... this stuff is fantastic!!! If im wrong youve got bigger problems to worry about.

My main slide kept popping out on my 52J. I know of other people who have had the same problem with their 5XJ tubas. I brought mine back to Matt at Dillons and he expanded the tuning slide and I haven't had a problem with it since.

Funny this thread started, because today in my lesson, I blew my slide out to the floor. My teacher suggested some Hetman's number 7, and about two minutes later caught it from falling again. He then got out some anhydrous lanolin, and I lubed it up reel nice with that. Less than ten minutes later it was on the carpet. I'm thinking the string idea may be wise.

Expand the inner tubes, if the crook is dropping out you will notice your ability to center the tone will be better after it has been expanded.

i am %100 serious about the hetman lube. the glue is #9 the thickest they make.. i will give you a %100 gaurantee, as long as the slide doesnt have a massive gap in the slides, that stuff WILL WORK and hold it in place.

I had my 1st valve slide adjusted so it's looser so I can use it to tune easier. I would imagine they could tighten it up too.

elimia wrote:Exact same thing is happening to me right now with my euphonium, except is is happening to the little 2nd valve slide. I've temporarily solved it by looping a rubber band around the finger ring and the other end over the 2nd valve housing.

Someone once told me that rubber bands have a chemical in them that, when mixed with saliva, will eat through brass. Anyone know if this is true??